Goalkeepers

Keylor Navas and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen hardly believed that they would walk into starting positions at two of the best teams in the world when they respectively signed for Real Madrid and Barcelona this summer, but they didn’t think that Iker Casillas and Claudio Bravo would be as hard to displace as they have been.

Bravo has been protected well by combinations of Jeremy Mathieu, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano and Marc Barta and has eight clean sheets to Casillas’ four. But the pressure will be like nothing Bravo has experienced before come Saturday, under the white hot lights of Santiago Bernabeu.

Likewise for Casillas, he is aware that his recent error for the national side and subsequent failure to make the team means all eyes will be on him during what promises to be an attacking master class from both sides.

Real Madrid’s centre-back pairing                

Sergio Ramos trained with the squad on Friday and looks set to partner Pepe in the heart of Real Madrid’s defence on Saturday. From a tactical, defensive standpoint, the availability of Ramos means they have a natural left-sided defender who has more interceptions than both Varane and Pepe have combined this season ­- 20 for Ramos, 19 for Pepe and Varane.

From a leadership and attacking standpoint, Ramos adds a little bit of attitude that Varane possibly lacks and will offer a real threat from set-pieces. It is a timely boost for Los Blancos and will have an influence on the game.

Press conference and pre-match talk

In what is Luis Enrique’s first Real-Barca derby as Coach, warning shots were fired when Carlo Ancelotti declared that he “took Ronaldo off without asking him” after Real Madrid’s dismantling of Liverpool on Wednesday night.

There has been plenty said about Messi and Ronaldo that does not need to be rehashed but Ancelotti seemed calm in his Press conference on Friday, while Enrique tried to remain calm in the face of some loaded questions.

It seems Enrique is trying to keep things cool ahead of the game and said that that there are certain “advantages to being four points ahead” of Madrid. Enrique even went so far as to say that Ancelotti was a decent bloke and that remains the same regardless of upcoming fixtures.

Suarez’s fitness

Enrique trained without Luis Suarez during the week and there are massive question marks over the Uruguayan’s participation in the game, although Enrique has stated that Suarez will feature at some point.

From the spotlight perspective, maybe it would be better to ease Suarez back into action and allow him to find his feet and his fitness with his new club. This would be true if it were any other player in the world.

Suarez has a point to prove and will be hungry, figuratively speaking, to right the wrong that was inflicted upon him following his bite on Giorgio Chiellini of Italy at the World Cup. It doesn't need to be said but Suarez will change the complexion of a game with one twist of his hips. Keep an eye on just how sharp he looks and whether he starts or comes on as a substitute.

Real Madrid’s defensive midfield situation

Madrid were beaten by Real Sociedad earlier in the season and panic was beginning to set in amongst fans of the side. The lack of a fit defensive midfielder was one thing but letting Xabi Alonso leave during the summer was considered reckless.

Real have not really been tested since, having gone on a run of form that has seen them score 33 goals in eight games. Messi, Neymar and co. will ensure that Ancelotti’s defensive midfielder conundrum returns. Isco proved robust in his defensive duties against Liverpool but there were more sloppy fouls than attack-ending tackles.

Whether or not Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco are enough to curb the influence of Barcelona’s attacking players remains to be seen, and whether or not Ancelotti even wants to go for that approach will be revealed when he names his team.

La Liga - Club News